Outdoor bowling alley



Oct, 16, 1934: c. T. FosszRs 1,976,932

OUTDOOR BOWLING ALLEY Filed Aug. 24. 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR- hm ATTORN EY- Oct 16, 1934. c. T. FORSBERG 1,975,932

OUTDOOR BOWLING ALLEY Filed Aug. 24, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 eTTORNEY- I '1, T I 1 11/ ll 1. i

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Oct. 16, 1934. c. T. FoRsBERe OUTDOOR BOWLING ALLEY s Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 24. 1932 0. f i wi 6 5 3 4 5 5 a} w a 5 dwfjw INVENTOR- ATTORNEY- Patented Oct. 16, 1934' OUTDOOR BOWLING ALLEY Carl T. Forsberg, New York, N. Y. Application August 24, 1932, Serial No. 630,166

13 Claims.

This invention relates to bowling alleys and more particularly to that type of bowling alleys I which may be disassembled and easily be erected at different places.

It is the object of this invention to provide an alley of this type which remains unaffected by the weather and which is thoroughly waterproof.

It is another object of this invention to provide novel means for joining and aligning the several sections of the alley into one level unit.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved and simple pin spotter on this alley.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a covering over the surface of this alley which is nonabsorbent, weatherproof and also sound deadening.

With these and other objects in view which will become clearer as the description progresses the invention consists in various novel combinations and arrangements of parts which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. l isa perspective view of the improved bowling alley. Parts are broken away to reveal otherwise hidden construction.

Fig. 2 is a sectional transverse elevation on line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section through one of the joints between two sections of the alley.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal vertical section through the pin section and pin pit on a plane indicated by 55 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the back stop.

Fig. 6 is a sectional detail of the back stop on line 7-7 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a transverse section on line 7-7 of Fig. 1, show'mg the manner of mounting the alley and the side gutters.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of a portion of the bowling alley and the gutters parallel thereto.

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of a modified strongback adapted for levelling the alley bed.

Fig. 10 is a transverse section of an alley equipped with the modified strong back shown in Fig. 9.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings 11 designates the bed of a bowling alley which is constructed in several sections, two of which 11a and 11?) are shown but generally a greater number of sections are used and joined to each other longitudinally to provide a bed 40 or 50 feet long.

The bed 11 consists of matched, preferably tongue and grooved, timber planking which rests on a framing having a smooth plane top surface formed by longitudinal side sleepers 12, each of the length of one section and transverse joists go 13 which are notched into the sleepers l2 and 12a for joining themtogether.

The top surface of each section of bed 11 is carefully planed. A sheet of hard compressed fiber composition 14 is then glued thereon by 5 means of a. heavy coating of waterproof glue 15. When dry the surface is carefully ground to be level and smooth. A thick coat of waterproof adhesive hardening paste 15a is then applied to the top surface and a tough fabric 16 7Q pressed onto the adhesive so that the adhesive penetrates therethrough.

The fabric is then stretched and pasted and tacked along the sides of bed 11 and sleepers 12 as shown in Fig. 2. A hard-wood finishing 7 strip 17 is then fastened on the outside of the vertical portions of fabric 16 and its top is brought to the exact top level of the fabric on bed 11. These finishing strips 17 protectthe fabric from wear and damage at the sharp bends over the edges of bed 11 and at the same time they form a slight extension in the width of the playing surface of the alley.

The adhesive which penetrates through the fabric is carefully levelled beforeit becomes dry. When dry a plurality of coats of waterproof paint are applied to the playing surface of bed 11 and allowed to dry, then sand-papered and painted until a smooth non-porous surface is obtained. At the ends of each section the fab- 9g ric is fastened in a similar manner as on the sides by drawing it down vertically and protecting it by a thin strip of fiber composition 18 nailed against it so that its top face is level with the fabric top of bed-11 as shown in Fig. 3.

The sections 11a and 1110 are joined to each other as shown in Fig. 3. The transverse joists 13a at the ends of each section are spaced a short distance rearward from the end of the section which is formed by composition finishing strips 18.

Below these strips 18, a pair of matching strips 19 with oppositely tapered engaging surfaces are fastened to joists 13a in the space between them. Below these matching strips 19 heavy 5 connection bolts 20 pass horizontally through both joists 13a near each side-sleeper 12. These bolts 20 draw the two sections In and 11b tightly together by means of nuts 21. Below the j int of two alley sections a lower frame is built which consists of two additional transverse joists 22 preferably placed below the nearest transverse joist 13.

Longitudinal strong-backs 23 which are notched into the joists 22 between them connect these joists longitudinally. Each bolt 20 carries between the joists 13a a vertical eye bolt 24 which is threaded almost for its full length. This bolt passes through the strong back 23 and is provided near its top with a washer 25 which leans against both transverse joists 13a, and a nut 26 which ties said washer 25 against said joists.

Similar washers 28 and 29 lean against top and bottom of strong-back 23 and are pressed against it by nuts 27 and 27a respectively. In this manner very efficient jacks for levelling the alley-bed longitudinally and transversely are provided. It will be seen that a loosening of nut 27 and tightening of nut 27a will lift the alley bed and the reverse will lower it. As two jacks are provided, at each joint and between them if found necessary, one side of the alley bed may be lifted while the other one is lowered.

It should also be noted that in the application of this leveling device the gravity of the alley is not used for leveling it.

Another method of joining the sections of the alley and for leveling them is shown in'Figs. 9 and 10.

At the end of each alley section is fastened to the sleeper 12 a substantially triangular casting provided with horizontal flanges 51 through which bolts 52 extend into the bottom of the alley beds. Vertical flanges 53 form the front of each casting. They are provided at their lower end with a projecting bearing strip 53a so that a vertical space is formed between the two flanges 53. Near the upper end of the flanges 53, a bolt 54 passes horizontally through them and can tie them together by means of nut 54a. The matching strips 19a. are attached to the alley sleepers 12 on each side of the alley bed.

Tightening of nut 54a presses the two matching strips 190 and the two bearing strips 53:: against each other. As bolt 54 passes through the upper portion of the flanges 53 is has a tendency to concave the upper face of the castings at the joining line and to bend the alley bed downward at the joint whereby a very effective levelling means is procured because the alley sections have a tendency to bend upward at their end or downward.

The castings 50 at either side of the alley bed are tied together by steel tie bars 56 and nuts 56a. (See Fig. 10.)

The alley is provided with two side gutters 5'7 and a ball return gutter 58 shown in Figs. 7 and 8. These gutters consist each of levelled side guides 57a. which are spaced from each other and a. central bottom guide 57b therebetween. The inner side guide 57a is preferably fastened to the finishing strip 17 and the outer side guide to a longitudinal plank 570 which is fastened to transverse supporting beams 59.

The ball-return gutter 58 consists of two spaced parallel longitudinal boards 5811. which are bevelled at their inner top edges. They are shaped with a downward incline as shown in Fig. 1 and fastenedby means of vertical posts to the transverse supporting beams 59. These beams are tied to longitudinal foundation girders 61 which are partly imbedded in the ground as shown in Fig. '7 and in this manner a flrm and solid foundation for the alley is provided.

The pin section of the alley is constructed similar to the alley bed of the several sections but no fabric covering 16 is used, and the fiber composition 31 Fig. 4 is made thicker, of harder weatherproof quality and is held to the underflooring by waterproof adhesive 32 and fastened along its edges by flat head flush screws. The surface is then given a first coat of raw linseed oil and when dry it is painted with several coats of the desired color. At the center of every bowling pin a long tubular metallic sleeve 30 threaded on its outside is screwed through the wood of the alley and the composition thereon, thereby tieing the composition and the bed securely together at these places. The tubular sleeves 30 provide guides for vertical pin-locating pegs 33 which are operated simultaneously by means of a suitable frame 34 to which the lower ends of the pegs are fastened and frame 34 is raised by means of a pedal-lever 35 extending into the alley pit 36 and pivoted on pin 3'7. A release of the foot from the pedal of lever 35 makes the pegs 33 drop below the top level of the pin section by the weight of the attached frame 34.

The alley pit 36 is flanked on opposite longitudinal sides by walls 38 which are tied together at their rear ends by the planks 39 and 40. Below the plank 40, a rectangular frame is suspended by means of a pipe or bar 41 extending transversely between walls 38 and fastened thereto by suitable flanges 42. On this transverse bar 41 are swingingly supported near flanges 42 vertical bars 44 by means of sleeves 43. Bars 44 are joined near the pit bottom by the horizontal bar 45. All bars of this frame are provided with a heavy tubular covering preferably of rubber hose. This frame carries two blankets 46 and 4'7 of strong fabric or leather. Blanket 46 is stretched horizontally over the front (alley) side of the frame, doubled over side bars 44 and its ends are laced together vertically attheback of the frame by laces 48. The blanket 47 is tightly stretched vertically over the face of blanket 46, doubled over the bars 41 and 45 and its ends are laced together hori zontally at the back of the frame by laces 49.

By this frame construction a very effective back stop for balls and pins is formed on the alley. The bar or pipe 41 forms a very effective brace for the side walls 38 of the pit. The rubber covering on the bars serves as a buffer when stricken by a ball and the leather or fabric blanket 4'7 being stretched tightly over stationary bar 41 exerts a braking action on the backstop frameso that it yields only sluggishly to the impact of a ball. The double layer of leather or fabric on the front side of the back stop frame is particularly effective as a reflecting means when struck by the ball. To prevent the back stop frame from swinging too far, a stout rope 63 is tightly stretched behind the back stop, which arrests it noiselessly. The underside and all exposed alley parts and the gutters are given several thick coats of asphaltic paint and all seams are carefully filled with white lead putty to proteet the parts of the alley from the influences of the weather.

In the above described manner a fully weatherproof durable bowling alley is produced which has the additional advantage that it can easily be taken apart and be transported and quickly reerected. The construction makes the playing practically noiseless.

The fabric covering which is treated as described is thoroughly waterproof. No moisture can enter or leave the wood underneath the alley bed. This feature prevents swelling or checking due to water absorption or drying out of the lumber. The fabric is elastic and inert to sound vibrations through the painting and treatment which it has received with nonresonant materials. The underlying sheet of hard fiber composition is generally applied at the front end of the alley, but sometimes omitted from the other portions. The layer of hard compressed composition dampens the sound of the balls which are dropped thereon and successfully resists indentations by its resiliency.

Another particular advantage of this improved alley surface is its wearing quality. The usual indoor alleys are simply treated with shellac over the wooden surface because that is all which is necessary to preserve the wood surface indoors. The fabric covering for these outdoor alleys with the materials for attaching and treating the fabric form a wearing surface over that of the wood itself. To restore wear on the finished coating of the fabric, it is only necessary to apply a coat of varnish or a coat of paint and then varnish, whereas to restore wear on indoor alleys requires usually the resurfacing of the wood by planing or scraping. In other words, the wear on the outdoor alleys with its heavy coating of paint materials, is in the paint materials of the surface only. On indoor alleys the paint treatment of the surface is so thin that the wear takes place in the structure itself and requires cutting down of the structure to a new surface and then refinishing with shellac and wax which both are simply polishing materials.

I am aware that bowling alleys have been built in sections before, but the manner of aligning the surface of one section with that of the next one so that the playing surface is one straight plane across the joint between sections is difficult to attain.

The jack device illustrated in Fig. 3 provides means to apply force vertically upward or downward and to cause a flexure in adjoining sections, which makes it possible to bring the alley sections into a straight line or plane with each other without depending on gravity for any downward force.

The bracket device illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10 accomplishes the same fiexural effect by the application of similar horizontal force couples which produce the bending movements in the adjoining sections that may be necessary to bring the two top surfaces into a common plane. The improved back stop has many advantages over those now in general use. Such stops consist in general of a vertical wooden board which extends across the alley pit. This board is hinged at the top and is heavily padded on the face where it is struck by the balls and pins. Such a back stop is heavy, cumbersome and expensive. The board is resonantv and resounds under the impact. The padding is not suitable for outdoor use as it will become saturated and soggy when exposed to rain and will rot. Renewal and repair is expensive and time consuming.

The improved back stop shown in Figs. 5 and 6 forms a part of the bracing between side walls 38 of the pit box. It is easily erected from separate pieces of material and the blanket diaphragms are placed on the finished frame and laced thereon separately. There are no resonant materials used aside from the metal frame which is covered with rubber tubing and does not resound when struck, and the bars of the frame are so located that they are rarely struck by balls or pins as the bar 45 is far below the surface of the alley bed and the bars 44 are beyond the sides of said bed. In addition to these advantages the braking action of the back stop has been explained hereinbefore.

The gutters on the sides of the alley provide the novel feature that there are wide open spaces provided between the rails on which the ball rolls which permits ready clearing of rain or dirt and provides access to the levelling devices under the side sleepers 12.

While I have illustrated and described a preferred form of my invention changes in detail may be resorted to without departing from the principle of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a bowling alley, a bed consisting of a plurality of sections joined to each other, one of said sections consisting of a bed or base plate having a fabric covering permanently fastened thereon and on the vertical edges of said sections by glue insoluble in water when hardened and having a smooth imporous surface of hardened waterproof paint concealing said fabric covering.

2. In a bowling alley, a bed or base, a plate of ground wood fiber compressed hard and nonporous formingan unbroken surface and fastened on said base and a cover sheet of waterproof fabric stretched over said plate and imbedded between waterproof adhesives.

3. In a bowling alley a bed or base, a plate of ground wood fiber compound hard compressed and nonporous fastened on the top face of said base and a fabric sheeting above said fiber plate interposed between a bottom layer of waterproof glue and a top sheet of waterproof paint.

4. In a bowling alley consisting of a plurality of sections joined to each other, one of said sections consisting of a bed or base, a plate of hard fibrous compressed composition on top of said base and threaded sleeves joining said plate to said base.

5. In a bowling alley, a bed having a pair of sections joined to each other longitudinally, each section having a base resting on longitudinal and transverse beams, a hard compressed, im-' pervious cover plate on each of said sections fastened to said base by waterproof glue, a fabric sheeting spread over the cover plates of one of said sections and finished coatings of oleaginous paint concealing the fabric on said section and on the cover plate on the second section.

6. In a bowling alley, a bed consisting of a plurality of sections, transverse beams near the ends of two adjoining sections, a. longitudinal sleeper at the same side of each adjoining section and means to adjust the surfaces of the beds of said sections to the same level, said means comprising a pair of transverse matching strips bevelled in opposite directions, one strip being attached to each section, a clamping bolt adapted to draw said matching strips together and passing longitudinally through said transverse beams and an eye bolt suspended vertically on said clamping bolt, said eye bolt passing through a longitudinal strong back, the ends of which are leaning against transverse beams and adapted to press against said longitudinal sleepers, and nuts on said vertical bolt above and belowsaid strong back for raising and lowering said sleeper.

7. In a bowling alley, a bed consisting of a plurality of sections, a longitudinal sleeper at the same side of two adjoining sections, a bevelled matching strip on the end of each section, the bevels of said matching strips being in opposite directions and in engagement with each other, a substantially triangular block on each sleeper having a horizintal side fastened thereto and a vertical side spaced from the end thereof, a bearing strip on the lower end of said vertical side projecting therefrom and having its face perpendicular to the top face of said block, a horizontal bolt joining the two blocks on said two adjoining sections across the space therebetween near the top of said blocks and a nut on said bolt to tie said blocks, said matching strips and said sections together and to bring them to a level position.

8. In an outdoor bowling alley, a bed formed of a plurality of water proof sections, each section consisting of joists rabbeted together, a sheet of powdered wood fiber composition compressed into a solid rigid plate and bonded by waterprof glue to the upper surfaces of the joists, a coat of waterproof adhesive hardening paste on said composition, and a strip of tough fabric stretched overall, said strip being fastened to the side, front and rear edges of the section and a covering above said fabric forming a. smooth imporous surface of hard metallic oxide.

9. In a bowling alley, a playing surface comprising a resilient fioor, a coating of waterproof glue thereover, a layer of hard compressed fiber disposed over and secured to said glue, a coating of waterproof hardening paste on said layer of fiber, a layer of tough fabric spread over and impregnated by said paste, and a finished coating of paint on said fabric, said finished coating being spread on thick to completely conceal said fabric.

10. In a bowling alley, a bed including a pair of adjoining sections and means for leveling the upper surfaces of said sections comprising a pair of transverse matching strips bevelled in opposite directions, one strip being attached to each section, a clamping bolt adapted to draw said matching strips together, a screw threaded eye bolt suspended vertically from said clamping bolt and passing through part of the support for the sections and nuts on said vertical bolt above and below said part of the support for raising and lowering the sections.

11. In a bowling alley, a bed consisting of a plurality of sections, each of said sections being formed with a playing surface comprising a resilient fioor, a coating of waterproof glue thereover, a layer of hard compressed fiber over said glue, a coating of waterproof hardening paste on said fiber, and a layer of tough fabric spread over said paste and a finished coating of paint on said fabric and means for levelling the surface of said sections, said means including a pair of transverse matching strips bevelled in opposite directions, one strip being attached to the fioor of each section, a clamping bolt adapted to drawing said matching strips together, a screw threaded eye bolt suspended from said clamping bolt and passing through a transverse member under said floor and nuts on said eye bolt above and below said transverse member for raising and lowering the floor.

12. The method of preparing playing surfaces for bowling alleys which consists in forming a floor portion of resilient material such as wood, planing the upper surface of said floor, spreading a heavy coating of waterproof glue on said floor surface, placing a sheet of hard compressed fiber composition on said glue, coating said fiber with a layer of waterproof adhesive hardening paste, placing a sheet of tough fabric on said hardening paste and immersing the same therein and placing a finishing coat of paint on said fabric and paste after the same have become dry.

13. In a bowling alley, a playing surface comprising a resilient floor, a coating of waterproof glue thereover, a layer of tough fabric spread over and impregnated by said glue and a finished coating of oleaginous paint-on said fabric, said finished coating concealing said fabric.

CARL T. FORSBERG. 

